Chapter 5: Think Like a Child
In Chapter 5 of Think Like a Freak, the authors the summarize the arguments of the book up to this point by suggesting that thinking like a freak is a bit akin to thinking like a child. Their point is that children tend to curious and that they are rarely embarrassed about asking questions. They also rarely worried about appearances, or preconceptions, or about what others will think about their questions. Also, children are rarely trying to come up with an all-inclusive solution to the world’s problems and are willing to focus on small questions about things that might seem obvious.
Solution
In Chapter 5, of Think Like a Freak, certain questions are addressed that are essential to improve life and realize various objectives that we set during our lives. These questions, in Chapter 5, are simple, yet exciting, which allow us to think differently. At the beginning of the chapter, we learn what it means to think like a freak (the prime focus of the chapter). We learn that when we think like a freak, we began to ask numerous questions regarding a particular phenomenon. It suggests that we become more curious and tries to understand a phenomenon by breaking it down (Levitt and Dubner P. 47). Therefore, thinking like a freak is not thinking irrationally, but rather thinking like a child that protects the mind from the bias (Stafford). In addition, it suggests that one should think simple and small (Levitt and Dubner p. 48).
Also, the writer wants us to think rationally, rather than irrationally and ignores our moral compass. To any learning, the writer suggests, that feedback is the key. Therefore, we must not only ask questions and seek their answers, but also verify the health of these answers. It puts the focus back on the questions; we must ask the right questions to get the right answers; however, the prime focus must be on right questions (Tantry). Therefore, childlike thinking should not be limited to asking questions, but rather emphasis must be on asking relevant questions.
It is a universal fact that when people ask wrong questions, they get wrong answers. Thus, identifying problem right or asking the right question is essential. However, asking the right question is a necessary condition to acquire right answer, but not the sufficient condition. Truth has the roots and to reach those roots, an effort is required. Also, we suggest not to be afraid of the obvious. For instance, when disturbing evidence or statistics are presented to ordinary people, they mostly focus on the nature/scale of evidence, not the cause and its implication. In the chapter, figure, of 1.6 million abortions in the United States, is used as an example. A childlike mind will get curious because of the figure, and it would try to understand it from various aspects (Levitt and Dubner p. 49). This process will make the phenomenon comprehensible/simple. However, we must avoid making it a simpler matter (Levitt and Dubner p. 50).
SITUATION EXAMPLE
Reports and statistics, on global warming, are usually disturbing. However, very few ask relevant questions regarding global warming. Mostly we learn that global warming is a consequence of economic and human activity; however, there are other factors too (natural factors), which are responsible for global warming. If a report is presented, regarding global warming, my question would be regarding the natural factors that are playing a part in global warming. I will ask what the size of the impact of these natural factors is? Can we humans regulate these factors or diminish their adverse impact? What policies should governments devise and adapt to address both human and natural factors that adversely affect the planet? These questions are simply and directly related to the subject. They intend to explore the various layers of subject/facts. These questions are based on the pattern, described as think like a child.
Work Cited
Levitt, Steven D and Stephen J Dubner. Think Like A Freak. HarperCollins, 2014.
Stafford, Tom.“How curiosity can protect the mind from bias?”BBC. BBC, 8 September 2016. Web. 18 March 2018. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160907-how-curiosity-can-protect-the-mind-from-bias.
Tantry, Sathvik. “Focus on the Right Questions, Not the Right Answers.”Steven Aitchison. Steven Aitchison, 1 January 2018. Web. 18 March 2018. https://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/focus-on-the-right-questions-not-the-right-answers/.
+447462439809